For the moment, at least, it appears to be a clear-cut victory  the biggest foreign policy win of his young administration. President Trump has brought his arch-nemesis, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a.k.a. Little Rocket Man, to the table to negotiate away his nuclear arsenal.

Optimists declared a major breakthrough. Even pessimists acknowledged that Trumps hard line against Pyongyang, after decades of less forceful U.S. effort, played a significant role in moving one of the worlds most vexing and threatening problems in a potentially positive direction.

But in the afterglow of the surprise announcement  hinted by Trump in a teasing visit to the White House press room and soon confirmed by South Koreas national security adviser, standing in the West Wing driveway  questions were fast and furious.

Were direct talks between Kim and Trump, two notably volatile leaders who have traded public insults for more than a year, the best way to start what are sure to be complicated negotiations? Was the administration, whose thin bench of experienced experts seems to be growing slimmer by the day, ready to face those wily and untrustworthy North Koreans? The talks, U.S. and South Korean officials said, would take place before the end of May.

“Were direct talks between Kim and Trump, two notably volatile leaders who have traded public insults for more than a year, the best way to start what are sure to be complicated negotiations? Was the administration, whose thin bench of experienced experts seems to be growing slimmer by the day, ready to face those wily and untrustworthy North Koreans?”

On the one hand, the Soviets would demand concessions for agreeing to come to the table, so NK’s agreement to talk is a plus.

On the other hand, NK has been wanting one on one negotiations with the US for the last fifty years, but past administrations refused NK the ‘prestige,’ if I may, of direct talks with the US. So this is giving NK what they have wanted for decades without getting anything up front for it.

So, it’s a wash. Could get interesting, could be Lucy pulling the football as Charlie Brown tries to kick it.

HIS arch-nemesis? As if our confrontation with Kim is nothing more than a personal spat between Donald Trump and Kim Jong In. HIS arch-nemesis? How about dangerous and avowed enemy of the United States who has repeatedly threatened our country with nuclear attack?

Again, just as with Trump’s election, the clueless talking heads are left totally bewildered as to how this could have possibly happened. POTUS’s success goes against everything their understanding of events lead them to predict. Could it be they’re not as smart as they think they are? Rhetorical question.

Again, just as with Trumps election, the clueless talking heads are left totally bewildered as to how this could have possibly happened. POTUSs success goes against everything their understanding of events lead them to predict. Could it be theyre not as smart as they think they are?

That could apply to a few knowitall smart asses with egg on their faces on this thread too.

When all they have is ridicule they lost...But are too stupid to know it.

On the other hand, NK has been wanting one on one negotiations with the US for the last fifty years, but past administrations refused NK the prestige, if I may, of direct talks with the US. So this is giving NK what they have wanted for decades without getting anything up front for it.

You're right. I had forgotten about them wanting to have one on one with the United States.

However, I have to question the value of this "prestige" the diplomatic corps has been so zealously safeguarding all these years instead of actually doing their jobs.

As I see it, Trump is giving the Norks something they wanted that doesn't cost anything.

19
posted on 03/09/2018 1:14:32 AM PST
by papertyger
(Bulverism: it's not just for liberals anymore.)

Of course they’d acknowledge the diplomatic success in a left-handed manner. This is WaPo, which knows so much about world affairs, they can tell the difference between their a@@ and a hole in the wall, usually. It stings their self-esteem that Trump made Kimmy blink first.

“experienced experts”. Hmph. Lin Yutang had plenty to say about these “experts” (Between Tears and Laughter, Doubleday, 1940), and Trump is the very embodiment of how diplomacy should be done.

20
posted on 03/09/2018 1:41:07 AM PST
by Eleutheria5
(¬ďIf you are not prepared to use force to defend civilization, then be prepared to accept barbarism.)

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